Math function
Excel PRODUCT function
PRODUCT multiplies all the numbers you give it. It is handy when you need to multiply a whole range, like chaining growth factors. Empty cells and text in a range are skipped instead of turning the answer into zero.
=PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...)Arguments
number1- The first number, cell or range to multiply.
number2- Optional. More numbers, cells or ranges, up to 255.
PRODUCT examples
Every result below was calculated from this sample sheet by the same spreadsheet engine the Cellwise app uses.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) |
| 2 | Crate A | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 |
| 3 | Crate B | 2 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| 4 | Year | Growth | ||
| 5 | 2023 | 1.05 | ||
| 6 | 2024 | 1.08 | ||
| 7 | 2025 | 0.97 |
Result: 0.48
Length x width x height gives the volume of Crate A in cubic meters.
Result: 7.92
Add a plain number to scale up. This is the volume of four Crate Bs.
Result: 1.09998
Chain three yearly growth factors to get the total growth multiplier.
Result: 1.09998
The "Growth" header is text, so PRODUCT skips it rather than returning an error.
How to use PRODUCT
- Click an empty cell.
- Type =PRODUCT(
- Select the cells or range to multiply.
- Close the bracket and press Enter.
Common PRODUCT mistakes
Using PRODUCT to multiply two columns row by row
PRODUCT(B2:B5,C2:C5) multiplies all eight numbers into one. For row-by-row totals use SUMPRODUCT.
A stray zero
One 0 anywhere in the range makes the whole result 0. Check for zeros used as placeholders.
Expecting blanks to give 0
PRODUCT skips empty cells, while =B2*C2 treats a blank as 0. Pick the behavior you need.
PRODUCT FAQ
How do I multiply in Excel?
For two or three cells, use * like =B2*C2. For a whole range, =PRODUCT(B2:B10) is shorter.
What is the difference between PRODUCT and SUMPRODUCT?
PRODUCT multiplies every number into one result. SUMPRODUCT multiplies matching rows, like quantity times price, then adds those results up.
Why does PRODUCT return 0?
At least one cell in the range contains 0. If a range has no numbers at all, PRODUCT also returns 0.
Related functions
Updated